Principles of an icons-based language

ABSTRACT

Improvements both in technology and in user-oriented software have shown the feasibility of new kinds of non-procedural languages. However, interaction between end-user and data should rely more and more on graphical languages and, particularly, on 'iconic” languages. In the following we review and analyze the forces which are at the origin of changes in the user environment. We give the main specifications of an iconic interface and a command language based on icons. Examples are given in a medical environment.

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INDEX TERMS

Classification:
  D. Software
  D.2 SOFTWARE ENGINEERING
      D.2.2 Design Tools and Techniques
          Subjects: User interfaces
  D.3 PROGRAMMING LANGUAGES
      D.3.2 Language Classifications

          Nouns: ICON

  H. Information Systems
  H.2 DATABASE MANAGEMENT
      H.2.3 Languages
          Subjects: Data manipulation languages (DML)

  J. Computer Applications
  J.3 LIFE AND MEDICAL SCIENCES
      Subjects: Medical information systems

General Terms:
Human Factors, Languages, Management